Summary

This chapter has introduced the concepts of network connectivity and discussed the technologies and systems that are most significant for networked embedded systems. The basic concepts of networking, the Internet architecture, sockets, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth all represent the most important areas in computer communications.

If you are new to networking, this chapter has likely improved your literacy and understanding of modern networking. However, you will soon recognize if you have not already that there is considerably more to learn. Entire textbooks and multi-semester course sequences exist to convey all of the important introductory ideas in networking. We have only scratched the surface.

Clearly, it will be worth your time to continue to develop your networking knowledge and practical skills. Even given the tremendous advances in the area seen thus far, the future of connected devices and the possibilities presented by their application will usher in new paradigms of networking and communications that will make our current technology and the world that it affects transform in ways we are only beginning to glimpse.